Steering-gear



Mod

E. STEERING GEAR.

Patented Feb. 23 1897.

- WITNESSES. K) I I WILLIAM TUTTLE, OF NATOHEZ, MISSISSIPPI.

STEERING-G EAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,797, dated February 23, 1897.

Application filed July 7, 1896. Serial No. 598,319. (No model.)

. To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM TUTTLE, of Natchez, in the county of Adams and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Steering-Gear, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion.

My invention relates to an improved steering-wheel and the object of the invention is to construct such a wheel in a simple, durable, and economic manner and to provide a connection between the wheel and a rudder whereby the latter may be expeditiously and conveniently operated with a minimum of exertion on the part of the operator.

The invention consists in the novel con struction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

Figure 1 is a vertical central section through the steering-wheel, illustrating the steeringdrum in side elevation, the support for the drum being likewise in central section; and Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the Wheel and the parts connected with the same.

In carrying out the invention an annular tubular body 10 is provided. This body 10 is in the nature of a ring, and although shown in a vertical position may be horizontally placed. The body-ring 10 is held in its vertical position by means of braces 11 and 11 which are secured to the front of the ring at each side of its center. The braces 11 extend downward and forward to a connection with the deck, while the braces 11 which are between the outer braces 11, are carried vertically downward to a connection with a foot 11, which is also secured to the deck. Therefore the foot 11 is between the outer braces and-at the rear of the same.

Bearings 12 are located at opposite points on the ring-body 10 at the back, one being preferably at the top and the other at the bottom, and in these bearings a spindle 13 is mounted to turn, extending beyond the bearings, and on the central portion of the spindle a drum 14 is rigidly secured, upon which the steering-cable 15 is wound.

has a circular opening 19, made therein at its center, of greater diameter than the length of the spindle 13. A plate 20 is preferably countersunk in the front face of the said steeringwheel, the said plate extending inward into the opening or chamber 19 of the wheeland preferably nearly to a bearing upon the annular or ring body 10, the front face of the wheel-plate 20 engaging with the rear face of the body-flange 10", as shown in Fig. 1, and the friction rollers 14 and 18 engage with the inner face of the wheel-plate 20 near the inner edge thereof, the surface engaged by the said friction-rollers beingpreferablyinclined, as is also shown in Fig. 1, and on the rear face of the wheel-plate 20, outside of the friction rollers 14c" and 18, a circular rack or toothed surface 21 is formed, engaged by a pinion 22, secured upon the lower end of the drumspindle 13.

The wheel is provided with the usual spokes. Therefore as the wheel is turned the drumspindle will be revolved and the drum 14= consequently turned,windiu g thereon or unwinding therefrom the steering-cable 15, according to the direction in which the wheel is manipulated. The proportions are such that preferably the drum will be given about eight revolutions during one revolution of the steering-wheel. Under this construction it will be observed that the rudder may be quickly turned to the right or to the left and that friction will be reduced to a minimum.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with a steering-wheel, of an annular ring like support around which the Wheel turns, a spindle provided with a drum journaled upon the said support, the said drum being adapted to carry the steering-cable, and a rack-and-pinion connection between the said spindle and the said wheel, as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a steering-wheel, the combination, with a wheel and a ring-like support over which the wheel revolves, of a spindle journaled upon the said support, a drum carried by the said spindle, friction-rollers carried by the spindle and located on the said support, engaging with a portion of the said wheel, and

a rack-and-pinion connection between the wheel and the spindle, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a steering-gear, the combination,with a ring-like support having an outwardly-extending marginal flange, and a wheel held to revolve around said support, having a faceplate practically engaging with the support and bearing against'its flange, the said faceplate being provided with an annular rack upon one of its faces, of a spindle journaled upon the said support, provided with frictionrollers engaging with the face-plate of the Wheel, and a pinion meshing with the racksurface of thewheel, and a drum secured on the said spindle, adapted to carry the steering-cable, as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a steering-gear, the combination,with an annular or ring-like support having an outwardly-extending marginal flange, and a steering-wheel provided with an opening of greater diameter than the said support, receiving the same, and a face-plate attached to the wheel, engaging with the flange of the support and substantially with its peripheral surface, the said face-plate having an annular rack formed on one of its surfaces and an inclined surface below the rack, of frictionrollers journaled upon the said support, engaging with the inclined surface of the wheel face-plate, a spindle likewise journaled in the said support, carrying friction-rollers engaging with the aforesaid inclined surface of the 

